Golf tournament fund-raiser set for critically ill child

July 18, 2013

A fund-raiser will benefit the family of a Cape Coral girl who was diagnosed with brain cancer.

The Love for Lynn Golf Tournament takes place Aug. 11 at the Palmetto Pine Country Club, with a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m. A four-person scramble, it costs $75 per person to participate and includes a continental breakfast before tee off and a goodie bag. Each player will also receive four beer tickets.

First place wins $350, second place earns $175 and third place receives $100.

There is a $1 option, closest to the pin $1 option and longest drive.

Afterward, there will be a complimentary buffet and live auction at BackStreets Sports Bar.

All of the proceeds benefit 11-year-old Marilyn "Lynn" Schrowe and her family.

Lynn was diagnosed in February with stage 3 diffuse pontine glioma - a brainstem tumor. She has since undergone extensive testing and experimental treatments to try to address the aggressive cancer.

"They've been unsuccessful," Sarah McGregor, one of the organizers of the fund-raiser, said.

Lynn is currently receiving palliative treatment and care.

"The family is dealing with this, I think, beautifully considering the circumstance they've been dealt with," she said.

According to McGregor, the support that Lynn's family has received from individuals and businesses in the community in terms of donated services, time and money has been extraordinary up to this point.

"There's been a huge response from Cape Coral and Lee County as a community," she said. "Even though it's a horrible situation - the outpouring from the community has been tremendous."

Organizers are hoping for a continuation of that support for the golf tourney.

According to McGregor, if Lynn loses her battle before the fund-raiser arrives, the proceeds will go toward funeral expenses and a not-for-profit organization that her family is in the process of creating.

"They want to be able to help other families who are going through difficult times with terminally ill children," she said, adding that group may help cover things like medical, travel or living expenses.

This is the first fund-raiser for Lynn that BackStreets has participated in.

Owner Shelly LaPagila decided to get involved after attending a previous event.

"I've watched this city come together for Hurricane Sandy - we filled a tractor-trailer full of stuff," she said. "I'm looking for that same love and support for this little girl."

While organizers are registering teams, they will try to accommodate individual players.

"We'll take singles and try to hook them together," LaPagila said.

The maximum allowance for the event is 36 teams.

"I'm hoping to fill it," she said, adding that the fund-raising goal is $15,000.